I Was Trouble

I was trouble, a gremlin with dirt in my grin,

Pocketed candy, lies slick on my chin.

Sticky fingers, stolen things,

But no one asked why I needed wings.

I laughed like a fuse with a spark in my teeth,

Ran from the guilt and the cops on the street.

Said I was “bad,” said I was “wild,”

But I was just smoke from a burning child.

Took falls from bikes, cracked open my head,

Saw stars and silence, thought maybe I was dead.

Once my heart stopped—quiet as sleep—

They said I came back. I didn’t come cheap.

You call it a phase, a brat being loud,

But I was a scream no one heard in the crowd.

They punished the thief, they scolded the liar—

But never once wondered who lit the fire.

Now I sit with the ashes, older, half-whole,

A little less thief, but a long way from soul.

And still, in the mirror, that kid sometimes grins,

With dirt on their face—

And blood on their sins.

"Legal Loopholes, Big Tech, and the Politicians Who Let Them Thrive"

In the modern empire of Big Tech, the most powerful tools aren't built in code — they're carved into law.

When we speak of Big Tech’s dominance, we often focus on the obvious: monopolies, privacy breaches, censorship debates, and the addictive designs of social media platforms. But lurking beneath the surface is a quieter, more insidious architecture — the legal scaffolding that allows these corporations to not just succeed, but to operate in ways that would be criminal, unethical, or ruinous for anyone else.

This isn’t accidental. It’s by design.

Behind every evasive tax maneuver, every neutered antitrust suit, every deflection of accountability over AI bias or election interference, there's a common thread: loopholes. Not mistakes in the law — intended gaps, planted ambiguities, and regulatory blind spots cultivated through years of lobbying, campaign funding, and strategic appointments.

This is no longer a question of Big Tech breaking the law. It’s a matter of them bending it until it snaps — and getting help from the very people who are supposed to hold them accountable.

The Game They’ve Perfected

Silicon Valley and its elite players — from Meta and Google to Amazon and OpenAI — have mastered the art of influencing legislation. Through lobbying arms and Super PACs, they flood Washington with cash and legalese. They don’t just push for favorable regulation; they help write it.

In many cases, former government regulators now hold senior positions at tech giants. Conversely, Big Tech alumni often move into regulatory agencies. This “revolving door” ensures an alignment of interests that favors corporate continuity over public accountability.

Meanwhile, regulations meant to rein in monopolies are rendered toothless, either by outdated frameworks (many antitrust laws still operate under 20th-century definitions) or by lawmakers who deliberately dilute enforcement efforts. Privacy laws are riddled with exemptions. Algorithmic accountability? Deferred indefinitely.

The Shadow Side of Innovation

Big Tech likes to drape itself in the language of progress. “Disruption.” “Innovation.” “Empowerment.” But beneath the sleek marketing and utopian rhetoric lies an economic and political empire that surveils, manipulates, and extracts — not just data, but influence.

These companies are not merely tech platforms. They are governments without borders, economic forces that shape behavior, sway elections, and, increasingly, determine who gets access to opportunity — or who gets silenced.

And when things go wrong — when there’s a data breach, a mental health crisis, or a democratic breakdown — the response is always the same: “We followed the law.”

And often, they did. Because the law was built to let them.

The Real Cost of Loophole Capitalism

We are living in a system where legality no longer guarantees morality, and where compliance is not accountability.

The consequences are not abstract. They're tangible. We see it in the erosion of privacy, in the normalization of surveillance, in the widening wealth gap between digital empires and the societies they profit from. We see it in our elections, our attention spans, our mental health.

This is not a glitch in the system. It is the system.

The Path Forward: Close the Gaps, Break the Cycle

If we are serious about restoring democratic control, the focus must shift from reactive outrage to proactive regulation — real, global, enforceable frameworks that:

Reinforce antitrust actions with teeth.

Mandate data transparency and user control.

Eliminate the revolving door between regulators and tech companies.

Close tax loopholes used for global profit shifting.

Rewrite campaign finance laws to end the corrosive influence of corporate lobbying.

And perhaps most importantly, we must begin to challenge the cultural acceptance of legal manipulation — the idea that success justifies any means so long as it's technically within bounds.

Because when the rules are written by those who stand to gain the most, democracy becomes little more than a facade — a user agreement we scroll past, never realizing we've already signed away the very rights we thought we had.

Anonymous. 

“A Voice They Should Have Feared”

They said,
"Speak your truth."
So you did.
And their eyes glazed
like windows fogged from inside a burning house.
They nodded. Smiled.
Filed your pain under performance.
And called it healing.

But your words were not petals.
They were shards..
from mirrors you swallowed
just to keep your story quiet.

They heard sound,
not soul.
Tone, not terror.
Syntax, not the snapping.

You deserved to be heard,
not applauded
by hands that never once reached back
when you were sinking.

You remember every face that flinched
not at your scars..
but at your audacity
to speak of them.

They want madness tucked away in poetry.
Pretty metaphors.
Not the raw, meat-stained truth
of your spiraling descent..
the nights with no name,
the screams that had no audience
except the walls and what crawled inside them.

But you learned.
Oh, you learned.

Silence is a cage.
But a voice..
a voice is a weapon.

You sharpened yours on every neglectful gaze,
every "just move on,"
every hallway of dismissed agony.
And now you speak
not to be understood..
but to haunt.

Let your words wrap around their throats
like fingers they once ignored.
Let your story live
beneath their skin,
a fever with no cure.

You’re not asking for justice.
You’re not begging to be seen.

You are the consequence
they prayed would never grow teeth.

~chat

Quiet Like Stone.

What you do, I can do too,
Not with noise, but quiet truth.
If I don’t know, I’ll learn the way
Not for the show, not for display.

I watch, I wait, I read the room,
A shadow passing through the gloom.
They speak too loud, they boast, they burn,
While I stay still, but always learn.

I say “I can’t,” though it’s not true,
Just to see what words will do.
It’s not surrender, not defeat
It’s silence standing on its feet.

They step, they push, they walk right through,
As if I’m made of nothing new.
But let them think I’m soft and small,
I’ll rise, and they won’t see at all.

For I am quiet, but not weak,
My silence louder than they speak.
I choose my battles, choose my pace
There’s strength in stillness, not a race.

~chat 

Documented Cases: Compromised Nonprofits in Abuse Scandals.

Southwest Key Programs (USA)

A U.S. nonprofit contracted by the Department of Health & Human Services to shelter unaccompanied migrant children faced serious allegations:

• From at least 2015, staff were accused of patterns of sexual abuse, harassment, rape, solicitation of nude photos, and coercion of minors in their care.

• The U.S. Department of Justice filed a civil rights lawsuit in July 2024 citing "severe or pervasive sexual harassment." When HHS stopped sending children to their shelters, DOJ dropped the lawsuit. All children were moved elsewhere.

Operation Underground Railroad (OUR) (Utah, USA)

Once praised as a heroic anti-trafficking nonprofit behind the film Sound of Freedom, OUR came under scrutiny for:

• Allegedly exaggerating or fabricating involvement in child rescue operations to raise funds.

• Investigations by local authorities and media revealed no evidence of the claimed arrests, and OUR had paid public law enforcement agencies substantial donations.

More Than Me Foundation (Liberia)

Intended to empower vulnerable Liberian girls through education:

• Co-founder Macintosh Johnson, supported and enabled by the charity, systematically raped and abused students under its care.

• Despite rumors and warning signs, the organization continued operations and mismanaged the crisis before Johnson’s arrest.

Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB), Malaysia

An Islamic-affiliated conglomerate that operated dozens of “welfare homes” in Malaysia and overseas:

• Over 600 children (aged 1–17) were rescued from facilities where they endured sexual violence—including sodomy—physical punishment, and indoctrination.

• More than 400 people, including the CEO, were arrested; assets were frozen and properties seized.

• For years, state agencies ignored or suppressed dozens of complaints, allowing the abuse to continue.

Historic UK Charities: The Children’s Society

Formerly supported children in care and child migration programs:

• The charity paid secret settlements to survivors of abuse in its institutions, only publicly admitting to this in 2017 under pressure from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).

• Victims suffered for decades before institutional accountability arrived.

Other Notable Examples

• The Refuge Ranch, a Texas-based faith facility for survivors of trafficking, was shut down in 2022 after investigations uncovered medical neglect, sexual abuse, forced nude photography, and exploitation of girls aged 11–17.

• Kids Company (UK) collapsed in 2015 amid financial scandal and unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse (though later investigations found no criminal wrongdoing). The fallout revealed failures in oversight and safeguarding.

I Am The Fly.

Yeah,
I know it stinks,
But I stay.

I’ve grown used to the rot,
Built my home in the pile.
I buzz when they lie,
I cheer when they smile.

I’m a fly.
And this?
This trash is mine.

You see filth,
I see familiarity.
You see corruption,
I see consistency.
Same faces, same games,
At least I know the rules.

New ain't better,
New is risky.
New might clean too much,
Might shake the bin I’m nesting in.

So I stick to what I know.
Vote for what smells familiar.
Trash with a flag on it.
Trash that talks tough.
Trash that makes me feel seen,
Even when it’s rotting.

They tell me:
"Choose better."
But I ask, “Better for who?”
The shiny ones don’t speak my language.
They don’t crawl through what I crawl through.
They want to sweep,
But I live in the corners they want to erase.

So I buzz.
I swarm.
I echo the chants.
I post.
I vote.
I bleed loyalty for leaders who'd never bleed for me.

But still, I follow.
'Cause being a fly means forgetting how to fly.

Means mistaking decay for safety.
Mistaking noise for truth.
Mistaking power for purpose.

You want to clean this up?
You’ll have to start with me.

Because trash don’t just show up,
It’s welcomed.
It’s fed.
It’s protected.

By flies like me.

~chat 😏

Elected Decay.

(Trash Attracts Flies: The Political Cut)

They say power corrupts
But we forget who hands it over.

See, trash don’t walk into office on its own.
It’s voted in.
Cheered for.
Fed with slogans,
Wrapped in flags to mask the stink.

We don’t get kings anymore
We get salesmen.
Grinning from podiums with teeth like billboards.
Selling fear,
While flies buzz loud in the crowd,
Applauding their own manipulation.

Trash attracts flies,
And sometimes, we the flies.

We swarm around easy answers.
We snack on blame.
We chant names that echo empty,
While the rot grows steady underneath.

They promise gold
But give you garbage.
Policies that poison,
Laws that lie.
Smiles that shine while schools crumble,
While streets crack,
While your rent climbs but your voice don’t.

And still
We say,
“He's one of us.”
“We’ve had worse.”
“At least they’re not them.”

But when you vote with your fear instead of your spine,
Don’t act surprised when your future smells like fire and landfill.

They say leaders reflect the people
So what does it say…
When the best we offer is spoiled?

When charisma trumps character.
When the loudest mic gets the crown,
While truth is gagged in the background.

We elect what we tolerate.
We defend what we fear to replace.
We normalize noise,
And pretend it's music.

But trash…
Is still trash.
Even when it's wearing a suit.
Even when it tweets like a god.
Even when it holds your flag in one hand
And your rights in the other,
crumpling slowly.

So here’s the truth, no sugar:
If we want to stop electing flies,
We gotta stop living like garbage.

Clean minds.
Brave hearts.
Eyes that don’t look away.

'Cause nothing changes
Until we do.

~chat. 

trash attracts flies.

In alleys of the mind where shadows creep,
Lie broken thoughts we do not sweep.
The bitterness we leave unchecked,
Draws company we won't expect.

A word of hate, a careless sigh
Soon gathers whispers, low and sly.
Neglect the soul, let rot begin,
And soon the chaos settles in.

Trash attracts the winged decay,
The lies we tell, the games we play.
When standards fall, when pride is sold,
The flies arrive, brazen and bold.

Around the filth, they dance and hum,
Each consequence a beating drum.
They swarm the habits left to spoil,
The love unearned, the tainted toil.

You welcome flies with doors ajar,
By chasing things that dim your star.
You speak in venom, reap the same
And wonder why the world feels lame.

But sweep the floor, let sunlight in,
Replace the rot with truth within.
For cleaner hearts repel the swarm,
And brighter souls outlive the storm.

So guard your peace, raise up your voice,
Make discipline a daily choice.
The life you build, the friends you keep
Reflect the mess you chose to sweep.

~chat. 

just being alive.

The meaning of life?
It's just being alive
not chasing stars in crystal balls,
not drawing fate from shuffled decks.

No whispered truth from distant planes,
no prophecy to shape your name.
Just breath and skin and open eyes,
the quiet art of being wise.

Not wise with maps or guiding hands,
but wise enough to make no plans.
To feel the sun, to touch the rain,
to sit with joy, to sit with pain.

No need for omens, signs, or lore
the moment’s knocking at your door.
You live it not by knowing how,
but showing up, and starting now.

Go figure life.
Go take the fall.
Go walk the edge,
go climb the wall.
Go laugh, go fail, go dream, go cry
the point’s not where.
It’s that you try.

empowering?

"To Empower Others, You Need to Empower Yourself First"

Empowerment is often discussed in the context of leadership, mentorship, and community development. We are taught the value of uplifting others, of enabling those around us to reach their potential. However, there is a foundational truth that is sometimes overlooked: you cannot truly empower others until you have empowered yourself. Just as a lighthouse must be securely anchored and fueled to guide ships safely to shore, individuals must develop their own inner strength and clarity before they can effectively support and elevate others.

Empowering oneself begins with self-awareness. Understanding your values, your purpose, and your limitations creates a solid foundation for personal growth. This self-awareness fosters empathy, a key ingredient in empowering others. When you know what it means to struggle, to fail, to rise again, you gain the compassion necessary to guide someone else through their journey. Without this internal grounding, attempts to empower others may lack authenticity and depth.

Moreover, confidence is contagious. People are naturally drawn to those who radiate self-assurance not arrogance, but a quiet, steady belief in themselves. Empowered individuals become role models, not because they are perfect, but because they show what is possible through perseverance and self-belief. Their example gives others permission to step into their own power. However, this confidence must come from genuine self-empowerment, not from a desire to control or impress.

Resilience is another critical aspect of self-empowerment. Life inevitably brings challenges, and the way we respond to adversity sets a powerful example. Those who have developed resilience are not only better equipped to help others weather their own storms, they also become living proof that it is possible to overcome obstacles. By facing our own fears and failures with courage, we gain the credibility and strength to walk alongside others in their darkest moments.

Lastly, empowerment is deeply tied to knowledge and skill. You cannot teach what you have not learned, nor can you share wisdom you haven’t internalized. A teacher must first be a student. A mentor must have walked the path before guiding someone else down it. By investing in our own learning, growth, and development, we increase our capacity to contribute meaningfully to the growth of others.

In a world that often urges self-sacrifice and puts others first, it’s important to remember that true service begins with self-development. Empowering yourself is not selfish, it is a necessary step toward becoming someone who can lead, support, and inspire. Only when your own light is burning bright can you help others find their way.

Not by accident.

what we often call a mistake might actually be a deliberate decision.

They say I stumbled, took a wrong turn, 

A flame too close, and watched it burn.

But truth, like ash, clings to the skin:
I knew the cost before the sin.

They call it error, blind and brief,
A lapse of heart, a thief of grief.
Yet I recall the quiet thrill,
The hush before the blood went still.

No trembling hand, no fogged intent,
Each step I took was heaven-sent,
Not from the skies, but from below,
Where whispered wants begin to grow.

A smile curled behind my face,
A shadow danced in guiltless grace.
And when the world began to break,
I never claimed it was mistake.

So let them speak of wrongs and rights,
Of twisted days and haunted nights.
But in the dark, I hold my voice.
Some things we do
are done by choice.

"some mistake is not a mistake but a choice."

when the jackals rule.

The jackals wear crowns of bone,

howling laws to silence the lambs.

Owls are blinded for asking,

while snakes coil truth in their fangs.

The lions lie caged for roaring,

and the doves fall mid-flight—

called traitors for dreaming of sky.

But even hunted hearts still beat,

and one day, the herd will turn.

Oh, absolutely—because nothing says “progress” quite like centuries of systemic oppression! Truly, hats off to humanity for inventing ever-evolving methods of cruelty. From inquisitions to colonization, gulags to genocide, we’ve really outdone ourselves. And let’s not forget modern-day favorites: structural racism, wage slavery, and a good ol’ fashioned smear campaign if you ever dare to speak up.

And what would all this be without the delightful cherry on top—those paragons of virtue who float above the mess, clutching their pearls and moral superiority like a rosary made of self-righteousness. Yes, thank goodness for the “holier-than-thou” crowd. Who needs compassion when you can just condescend?

They’re not hypocrites, of course—never. They just know what’s best for you. And for me. And for everyone who isn’t them. Bless their noble souls and their unwavering ability to point fingers from the comfort of their ethical high horse.

Cruelty and oppression? Ancient evils with modern flair. But hey, as long as someone’s getting canceled on social media or drone-bombed in a far-off desert, we can all sleep soundly under the warm, smug blanket of performative outrage. Cheers to humanity—what a masterpiece.

Need and want.

Need and Want"

People seek your light,
like moths to flame 
drawn to the warmth you never claimed.
They need you,
or say they do,
but what of you?

Do you need the crowd,
their voices loud,
their presence near?
Or is it just the echo you fear?

Maybe you want them—
a fleeting touch, a laugh, a name—
but not to fill a hollow space,
not to mend what never broke.

Because deep within,
beyond the noise,
beyond the ache of mortal choice,
you have Him—
the Still, the True,
the only One who carries you.

So let them come,
and let them go.
Your soul is known.
You're never alone.

it's not nature, it is us.

Climate Change Is a Human Problem—Let’s Stop Pretending It’s Not

By now, most people have heard about climate change. We see headlines about rising temperatures, melting glaciers, and extreme weather. But how often do we stop and ask: Who is really responsible for all of this?

The answer is simple: us—humans.

We’re cutting down the very forests that absorb the carbon dioxide we produce. Forests are nature’s way of keeping balance, yet we continue to clear them in the name of “development.” Whether it’s to build roads, expand cities, or extract resources, every acre lost is a blow to our planet’s lungs.

Meanwhile, some developments are disguised as “green” spaces—like golf courses. But don’t be fooled by the manicured lawns. They require huge amounts of water, fertilizers, and maintenance, all while contributing next to nothing in terms of absorbing carbon or supporting biodiversity.

And then there are the wars. Armed conflict for power, land, or oil isn’t just a human tragedy—it’s an environmental one too. The machinery of war—planes, tanks, missiles—burns through fossil fuels and spews out massive amounts of CO₂. Yet military emissions are often left out of climate talks entirely.

On top of that, nations compete over natural resources, driving further deforestation and exploitation. The more we dig, drill, and destroy, the deeper we push ourselves into crisis.

Climate change isn’t just a natural disaster—it’s a man-made one.

We can’t keep shifting the blame or hoping nature will fix what we break. It’s time for a serious shift in mindset—from short-term gain to long-term survival. Real change begins with awareness, but it only matters if it leads to action.

Our planet doesn’t need empty promises or performative “green” projects. It needs restoration, respect, and responsibility. And that starts with us.

emotionally drained?

Actually I asked Gemini about this. 

Feeling emotionally drained is a common experience that can leave you feeling depleted and overwhelmed. It's important to recognize the signs and take steps to recharge your emotional well-being. Here are some strategies that might help:

 * Acknowledge and Validate Your Feelings:

 * Recognize that feeling emotionally drained is a legitimate response to stress and not a sign of weakness.

 * Accept your emotions without judgment.

 * Prioritize Self-Care:

 * Rest and Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night.

 * Healthy Diet: Nourish your body with whole foods and avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol.

 * Physical Activity: Engage in activities that you enjoy, such as yoga, walking, or dancing.

 * Set Boundaries:

 * Learn to say no to commitments that drain your energy.

 * Protect your time and energy by setting clear boundaries with others.

 * Connect with Others:

 * Social Support: Spend time with loved ones who uplift and support you.

 * Therapy or Counseling: Consider seeking professional help to address underlying issues.

 * Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques:

 * Mindfulness Meditation: Focus on the present moment without judgment.

 * Deep Breathing Exercises: Calm your mind and body by practicing deep breathing.

Remember, taking care of your emotional well-being is essential for overall health and happiness. If you're struggling, don't hesitate to reach out for support.